In Microsoft's small conference room, the directors sat together again for their regular meeting. It's just that there is one less chair than this time last year, and there is no Force drink on the table that Paul Allen hates.
Since Feng Yu was kicked out of the board of directors, Paul Allen has been in a very good mood. Except for that trip to China, he had no appetite for a month in a row. He also felt nauseous when he saw ants on the roadside.
"Today's meeting will mainly focus on the sales of our software. It is expected that in the second quarter, our sales will increase to a certain extent, but the growth rate will be significantly lower than last year, especially office software... "
The directors looked at each other, but no one spoke. Paul Allen sneered: "Steve, it seems that the Asian market has suffered the most serious decline, right? As the president of Asia, shouldn't you say something?"
Ballmer glanced at Paul Allen: "Should I say something? I suggested continuing to cooperate with Feng or Lianxiang Group before. It was you who suggested separating the office software from our operating system. As a result, Office software sales are not good, but you say it’s my problem?”
Steve Ballmer doesn't like Paul Allen. When it comes to software development, he is indeed not as good as Paul Allen, but when it comes to company management, Bill Gates has to ask for his opinion. , I don’t know how many ways to get rid of Paul Allen who always loses money on his investments.
"You are the president of Asia and the vice president of the company. You are responsible for product sales. Sales growth has declined seriously. That is your dereliction of duty. Even if I proposed separation at the beginning, you should have thought of other ways. No Come to think of it, that's your problem!" Paul Allen said loudly.
"Since you think I can't sell well, then you will be responsible? How do I remember that when you were in charge, sales experienced negative growth?" Ballmer retorted unceremoniously.
Since Feng Yu was kicked off the board of directors, Paul Allen seemed to have no target, and finally turned his attention to Ballmer. Ballmer is not a soft persimmon. How can he let Paul and Allen do whatever he wants
What's more, Ballmer also knows that Bill Gates supports him.
At this time, Bill Gates also regretted his original impulse. He should have waited until Microsoft established its sales channels in China before breaking up with Feng Yu.
Now this happens suddenly, and Microsoft suffers as a result. That Feng Yu really acted like he didn't care about Microsoft's profits, which he didn't expect.
The real reason, Ballmer also told him, was because of Lianxiang Group.
A subsidiary of Lianxiang Group is called Lianxiang Yinshan Software Company. This company has also been making application software. Among them, the best-selling ones are anti-virus software and office software.
What caught Microsoft off guard was that the WPS97 launched by Lianxiang Yinshan was perfectly compatible with their OFFICE software and also supported the WIN system, and the price was only one-fifth of theirs.
More importantly, it has more functions than theirs, the Chinese applications are better than theirs, and the interface feedback is also more popular than theirs.
It is this software, coupled with the support of Lianxiang and bundled sales, that makes their OFFICE software almost no one cares about.
There are good and cheap ones, but who would use something that is expensive and hard to use
Moreover, Lianxiang Yinshan's software is bundled with each other, such as Silversoft PowerWord, Yinshan Internet Security, and WPS97 software, which can be purchased together, buy two and get one free.
Not only Chinese people, but even Americans would be interested in this kind of complimentary sales.
Just like when Microsoft's WIN system was bundled with OFFICE, it sold very well because it gave people the feeling of getting a bargain.
Originally, Bill Gates and Paul Allen had the same idea. They thought that it had taken hold in China. The system was selling better and better, and people should have become accustomed to using their WIN system. Then the equally easy-to-use OFFICE system should not be available. question.
But they never expected that this WPS would be easier to use than their OFFICE and so much cheaper. As a result, their new OFFICE software would become unpopular.
WPS also provides free upgrade services, and the after-sales service is better. Every city in China has Lianxiang after-sales service points, and even most counties have after-sales service points. The strong network has made Lianxiang Huaxia a success. Its position as the leader is difficult for other brands to shake.
Originally, computers were like this, but I didn’t expect that even office software is like this now.
Moreover, Lianxiang Yinshan has also developed drawing software, supermarket systems, Internet cafe systems, company OA systems, etc., all of which are very popular.
Microsoft has also developed these, but the sales in the United States are not very good, let alone in China.
Is it really like Ballmer said that without Feng Yu, Microsoft will fail in the Chinese market
Paul Allen was still arguing with Ballmer, and the other directors were silent. Anyway, the problem is not where they are responsible. Besides, they are not willing to get involved in the affairs of these two people. Except for Bill Gates, no one at Microsoft can persuade Paul Allen.
"Okay, Paul, Steve, please stop arguing. The top priority is how to restore our growth rate and restore our market share." Bill Gates said with a frown.
"Since Paul thinks he is better than me, let him come. I would really like to hear what he has to say. A person who can even come back empty-handed when inspecting a GBOX project, huh~~" Ballmer sneered. road.
"Advertise, advertise in China, let more people know that this is our Microsoft product, it represents quality!" Paul Allen said.
"You're talking lightly. Where do the advertising costs come from? The advertising budget in Asia does not include this. Besides, Yinshan Software Company even did a software review. Everyone else has the functions that our OFFICE has. We don't have the features that others have, and the price is much cheaper than ours, and there are some other discounts. If you were a consumer, would you use our products?" Ballmer said disdainfully.
Is this also called an idea? If you have the money to spend on advertising, you might as well lower the price of OFFICE, which might still have some effect.
Microsoft's brand is big, but in China, people even think of Yinshan as a pretty good brand. Moreover, their products are also sold to Eastern Europe, and the sales there are also good. We at Microsoft have no market in Eastern Europe.
Bill Gates looked at the others: "Do you have any good ideas?"
Everyone was silent, and Ballmer said slowly: "The only way is to speed up the development of our office software and make our products more usable than theirs. Only then can we be competitive. Otherwise, even if the price is reduced, it will not be enough." It’s of no use.”
Paul Allen stopped talking. He could never have imagined that Microsoft's products were not as good as those of China. When did Microsoft fall behind in its strongest area
(End of chapter)